Friday, May 23, 2008

is starbucks kosher?

I just got back from a starbucks break at work, and now im thinking...
is everything at starbucks kosher?
Pbviously, there aren't any mashgiachs on staff at any of the locations i've been to, and there is no 'te'udah' posted on their walls.
But for some reason, i've always understood that "coffee is always kosher" - whether you buy it at the cholov yisroel pizza shop or at mcdonalds.
But what about the rest of the items on the menu at Starbucks? i wasn't in the mood for a coffee (i think two by 12:30 is my limit - i think im starting to shake from all the caffeine) - so I got a medium (i think they call it tall??) white hot chocolate, no-fat, no whipped cream. It's pretty yummy, maybe tooo yummy, maybe its not kosher!
I haven't stopped drinking it. I can't stop. The office is way too cold. And it's way too yummy.
Should I just assume that everything at Starbucks is kosher, because everyone goes there? Or should I start figuring out how to work some tshuva time into my schedule?

8 comments:

Jewish Side of Babysitter said...

I actually had a class on this. Certain flavors are kosher. You have to ask them to see the package were it came from and see if it has an OU on it. I could look at my notes to see if I have more info on it if you want.

Anonymous said...

as far as i know starbucks isnt kosher. my heart goes out to you....

dd said...

teshuvah time

chanie said...

i just heard that alot of their pastries have LARD in them to make them a certain consistency....
tshuva time indeed for all those people who say "its just a muffin".

Anonymous said...

the hot chocolate they use at starbucks has no hechsher.. so you might want to change your favorite drink if it matters too you.
or write to the company too make the chocolate base kosher

Anonymous said...

I doubt it has a hechsher, but you have to be logical. Is there anything in hot chocolate that can be unkosher, or is it possible the machine is being used for trief? Unless they're making bacon smoothies you should be in the clear, but do some research.

Good blog btw.

rbtzn said...

some have hechsherim, and some starbucks in b&n actually use different products.

my confusion would come on dates, when the guys would order a drink (such as a white hot choc) that i had never heard of as kosher before...

rbtzn said...

p.s. white hot choc mix was actually kosher in some locations.